Launching device for water skiers



July 2, 1963 w. o. DAWSON ETAL 3,095,845

LAUNCHING DEVICE FOR WATER SKIERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 28, 1960 WiZZzbun (lflwsow,

Roiazad K. Fflmefi,

by Kerr? 5 Folhe s July 2, 1963 w. o. DAWSON ETAL 3,095,845

LAUNCHING DEVICE FOR WATER SKIERS I. by Kern E. Fol/(ens flitoz neg y 1963 w. o. DAWSON ETAL 3,095,845

LAUNCHING DEVICE FOR WATER SKIERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 28, 1960 122088330216: William 0. Dawfsow, RoZazzd IiLFfiaseeby Kern E. Fo/lrers y 2, 1963 w. o. DAWSON ETAL 3,095,845

LAUNCHING DEVICE FOR WATER SKIERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 28, 1960 RoZand K. Fraser,

9 Kerr: 5. Fol/(ens flifforneg United States The present invention relates to launching devices adapted to assist a water skier in moving from a stationary position to a planing position on the water while being towed by a boat or other form of towing means.

Up to the present time it has been the usual procedure for the skier to stand or to crouch in relatively shallow water while holding the tow rope and at the same time attempting to balance himself and hold the skis in a forwardly and upwardly extending position preparatory to receiving the initial pull of the towing vessel. In many cases, however, the sudden lurch produced by the boat, as it accelerated to reach planing speed as quickly as possible, caused the skier, who was already in a somewhat precarious position, to lose his balance and control completely. This was particularly apt to happen in the case of beginners, who frequently became discouraged after several failures to reach planing position and there- 1 fore lost all interest in the sport.

It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide a suitable device or means for assisting a skier in reaching and retaining the planing position normally required for successful water skiing upon being suddenly pulled from a still position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a suit able launching device which will greatly facilitate the proper instruction of beginners and enable them to reach and hold the planing position Within a few minutes, thereby avoiding the disappointment resulting from repeated failures during the long learning period frequently required by present launching methods.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a launching device which is safe and comfortable for use even by experienced water skiers, particularly where the usual dock facilities or beach conditions are unsatisfactory.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the launching device of this invention shown attached to and supported by a dock or like structure;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the launching device shown in the preceding figures; and

FIGURE 5 is a view in perspective, partly broken away, of the device shown in FIGURE 1, but in this instance adapted to be supported and held in position on the shore or beach itself.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration we have disclosed a preferred embodiment of our invention, the numeral refers generally to the launching device in its entirety, which is adapted to be supported or mounted on post 12". The launcher 10 comprises among its essential components a main body member or centrally located and vertically extending board or panel 14, on the top edges of which a seat 16 and back rest 18 are suitably supported, said panel, seat and back rest together constituting a seat frame. Seat 16 normally extends in a generally horizontal direction, but the back rest 18 extends at substantially 45 from the horizontal for reasons to be hereinafter stated.

Located about halfway down on each side of vertical panel 14 are horizontally projecting steps or platforms 20 and 22 which are so positioned that the skier may rest his skis thereon and insert his feet in the harnesses, while seated on seat 16. Beneath platforms 20' and 22 and held against the inclined front edge of panel 14 near the bottom portion of launcher 10 is a transversely extending panel 24, which also extends upwardly and outwardly at about 45 from the horizontal and is intended to serve as a positioner for the tail ends of the skis during use of the launcher. Since the platforms 20' and 22 are usually positioned at about water level, it can be seen that the tail ends of the skis, when in position for launching, are held well under the water by panel 24 and extend upwardly, as held by the skier, at an angle approximately between 25 and 45 depending upon the position of seat 16 and the length of the skiers legs.

A platform 26 forming the bottom of launcher '10 extends forwardly to a point below the outer edge of positioning panel 24 and serves to prevent the tail ends of the skis from dropping too low, while in launching position. Thus, panel 24 and the outer end of platform 26 together form a pocket or recess for the reception of the lower ends of the skis. Farther back the side portions of platform 26 act as steps for use by skiers approaching -the launcher from the water on either side.

Triangular braces 28 and 30 are provided on both sides of central panel 14 and along the bottom of platforms 20 and 22 to support the same. Similar braces 32 and 33 are provided on both sides of panel 14 at points immediately above and contiguous with platform 26 for the same purpose and also act as an additional support for guide panel 24. Steps 34 and 35, supported by brace strips 36 and 37, are also provided above the water level on the sides of central panel 14 to aid skiers mounting the launcher from dock 38 (FIGURE 1).

Situated beneath seat 16 and back rest 18 and fastened thereto are a pair of longitudinal strips 40 and 42, which are spaced apart to form a channel fitting over the upper edge of panel 14. This diagonally sloping upper edge is provided with a series of vertically opening slots 44 (FIGURE 2), which are adapted to receive a pin 46 extending through and between the strips 40 and 42. By lifting seat 16 and back rest 18 and resting pin 46 in either the lowest slot 44, as shown in FIGURE 2, or in a different slot, it is possible to position seat .16 and back rest 18 at different levels above the Water, so the launcher may be readily used by skiers of different size or height.

The launcher 10 may be supported on a dock in the manner shown in FIGURE 1, or it may be supported in and above the water solely upon post 12, which is provided with a pointed bottom end 48 facilitating insertion in beach sand or the like, as shown in FIGURE 5. Referring first to FIGURE 1 it can be seen that the launcher 10 is provided with hinges 50 at spaced points along the back edge of central panel 14, which hinges are curved at their rear ends to receive the vertically extending and removable hinge rod 52. As clearly shown in FIGURES 1 and 5 rod 52 serves to fasten hinges 50 to brackets 54 on post 12, which is accomplished by slipping it alternately down through the openings formed by the reversely curved rear ends of hinges 50 and through suitable apertures provided in brackets 54. In this way the entire launcher assembly 10 can be supported in a freely swinging manner on post 12, thereby permitting automatic alignment of launcher 10 with the direction of travel of the towing craft as the towing craft begins to move away.

Post 12 is in turn fastened on dock 38 by means of a mounting bracket 56, which comprises a rearwardly ex- 3 tending base plate 58 and upwardly extending sides 60. The side members 60 are provided with downwardly extending lugs 62 and outwardly extending lugs 64. Lugs 62 act as guides bearing against the side strips 66 of post 12, thereby helping to keep post 12 in avertically extending position. Lugs .64 are fastened to the angle .iron 68 and dock 38 by means of bolts 69. Angle iron 68 is thereby held firmly against the outer edge of dock 38, and acts as a stability bar which tends to prevent the entire launcher assembly from .tipping laterally.

Adjacent the rear end of bracket .56 and connecting the side members 60 is a tie rod 70, which strengthens bracket 56 and also serves as a terminal for cable hook 71. Hook 71 and cable 72 are part of a 'hook-cable-hook arrangement (shown only in part) which is used to hold the mounting bracket 56 and supporting post 12 firmly to dock 38. The hookon the other end of cable 72 is shitably fastened to the opposite side (not shown) of dock 38. A turnbuckle 73. is .provided between hook 71 and cable 72 for adjusting the .tightnessof the hook-cable-hook arrangement.

Bracket 56 is also provided with inwardly directed lugs 74 which are adapted to engage slots 76 provided at spaced points along the forward edges of strips 66 on post 12. The lugs 74 are slightly inclined upwardly in a rearward direction, while theslots 76 incline slightly downwardly toward their openor forward ends, thus ensuring a firm engagement of the parts in view of the combined weight of launcher and post 12. This arrangement also enablesthe mounting bracket 56 to hold the supporting post 12 at different heights depending upon the level of dock 38 above the water.

The upper end of post 12 is also provided on its rearward side with bearings 78 (see FIGURES 2 and 3), between which a lock member 79 is supported for rotation about pin 80. When lock member 79 is in the position ,shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, the fingers 81 engage ,against anedge of the dock, is dropped downwardly with respect to post 12 with the result that lugs 74 engage the bottommost slots 76 in post 12. When the parts are in this position, launcher ,10 is supported on point 48 of post 12, angle bar 68 and base plate 58 of bracket56. Since ;the point 48 extends below the base plate 58 and the bar 68, it will usuallybe necessary to drive point 48 into the sand, gravel or other material formingthe shore. Post 12 is driven into the ground at a point and to a sulficient extent to provide a suitable water level and depth of water for proper use of the launcher. Rocks of suitable .size and weight are then placed on top of the bar 68 and base plate 58 to give further stability.

.llnsome instances, when using the launcher on the beach .or shore, it is desirable to secure suitable guy cables 84 to the top of post 12, asby means of hooks 86 inserted in apertures 88 with the other end of the cables (not shown) secured tostakes or treesat the shore line, as this permits the launcher to swing on hinge rod 52 in alignment with the towing craft. However, in other instances, if this swingingarrangement is not deemed necessary, a position on the submergedground or beach can be selected which .Will enable platform 26 to rest directly on the ground, in

which, case theme of suitable weights is again desirable for stability.

Asshown in FIGURE 2, the back rest 18 extends rear- ,wardly at about 45 from the horizontal, while the trans verse guide panel 24 extends forwardly at about the same ;inclination. When the skier 90 is in the starting position,

as indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 2, his back and head are allowed to rest against the inclined surface of back rest 18 with the result that he can wait for the initial tug of the towline 92 in a relaxed state. When the upper portion of his body is inclined backward at about 45 from the horizontal, he .is also in about the best position for receiving the sudden forward pull of the towline. Thus, the pull of gravity tends to ofiset the forward jerk he is about to receive, and as a result he is brought to a planing position, which involves standing at a slightly rearward inclination, Without losing his balance or falling too far forward. It can be seen however, that the angle of inclination of the back rest can be varied somewhat without appreciably losing the aforementioned advantages. In a like manner the angle of inclination of guide panel 24 can be varied slightl if desired, to say an angle between 35 and 50 from the horizontal.

While the arrangements shown and described herein represent preferred embodiments of the invention, further variations of these will become apparent as coming within the scope and spirit of the invention, particularly as defined by theappended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A launching device for water skiers which comprises a supporting post, a partly submerged body memher, a seat and back rest on the upper portion of said body member adapted to be occupied by a skier prior to being launched, and means on the lower front portion of said body member for holding the rear ends of the water skis beneath the surface of the water With the forward ends extending upwardly in an inclined direction to a point above the said surface.

2. A launching device for water skiers comprising a body member, a post for supporting said member with its lower portion submerged, said member being oscillatable on a vertical axis about said post to permit the skier to face the direction of pull of a towline, said memher having a seat on its upper portion and a guide panel on its lower submerged portion for holding down the tail ends of the skis and maintaining the skis in an inclined position with the upper end thereof extending out of the water. i

3. A launching device substantially as described in claim 2, but further characterized in that said post is supported by a bracket member, said bracket member being supported on a dock, said post being adjustably held in said bracket member at dilferent heights above the water. 7

4. A launching device substantially as described in claim 2, but further characterized in that said seat is adjustably supported on said member at different heights abovethe water.

5. A launching device substantially as described in claim 2, but further characterized in that said member has platforms fastened on each side at substantially the water level, said platforms being adapted to receive the skis while the skier is seated on said seat and putting his feet into the ski harnesses.

6. A launching device substantially as described in claim 2, but further characterized in that said post is supported by a bracket fastened to said post near the bottom portionthereof, said post being also supported at its top portion by guy wires and being pointed in its bottom end to facilitate partial insertion of the post into the sand of the shore.

7. A launching device substantially as described in claim 2, but furthercharacterized in that locking means are provided on said post for preventing the oscillation of position with the upper end thereof extending out of the water, said seat frame having a rearwardly inclined back rest.

9. A launching device for water skiers comprising a post, and a seat frame on said post adapted to be occupied by a skier while waiting with his skis on in a position to be towed away from said seat frame, the seat portion of said seat frame being disposed above the surface of the Water at a height that will enable the skiers feet to contact the water, said seat frame having a submerged portion provided with rigidly disposed walls forming a frontwardly opening recess for holding the tail ends of the skis under the surface of the water and preventing further downward and backward movement thereof while the skis are in launching position, said walls being positioned at a distance below said seat portion that will enable the front ends of the skis to project above the surface of the Water with the skis maintained at an angle between about 25 and 45 from the horizontal.

10. A launching device for water skiers comprising a post, a seat frame on said post adapted to be occupied by a skier in a position to be towed away from said seat frame, the seat portion of said seat frame being disposed above the surface of the water at a height that will enable the skiers feet to contact the water, means for holding the skis at an angle between about 25 and 45 while they are attached to the skiers feet, said sea-t frame being oscillatably supported on said post, whereby it automatically faces in the direction of the towing craft as the skier is pulled by the towline.

11. A launching device for water skiers comprising a post, a seat frame on said post to be occupied by a skier while waiting with his skis on in a position to be towed away from said seat frame, the seat portion of said seat frame being disposed above the surface of the Water at a height sufiicient to enable the skiers feet to contact the water, means on said seat frame beneath said seat portion and submerged in the water for holding the tail ends of the skis under the surface of the water, while allowing the front ends of the skis to project above the water, said seat frame being oscillatably mounted on said post, whereby it automatically faces in the direction of the towing cnaft as said skier is pulled away from said seat frame into planing position.

12. A launching device for water skiers comprising a seat frame to be occupied by the skier while waiting with his skis on in a position ready for towing, and means for supporting said frame in a partly submerged position in the water, the seat portion of said seat frame being disposed above the surface of the water at a height that will enable the skiers feet to contact the water, the submerged portion of said seat frame having Walls forming a frontwardly opening recess for holding the trail ends of the skis under the surface of the water and preventing funther downward and backward movement thereof while the skis are in launching position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,669,733 Picker Feb. 23, 1954 2,670,693 Block Mar. 2, 1954 2,883,684 Correll Apr. 28, 1959 

1. A LAUNCHING DEVICE FOR WATER SKIERS WHICH COMPRISES A SUPPORTING POST, A PARTLY SUBMERGED BODY MEMBER, A SEAT AND BACK REST ON THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID BODY MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE OCCUPIED BY A SKIER PRIOR TO BEING LAUNCHED, AND MEANS ON THE LOWER FRONT PORTION OF SAID BODY MEMBER FOR HOLDING THE REAR ENDS OF THE WATER SKIS BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE WATER WITH THE FORWARD ENDS EXTENDING UPWARDLY IN AN INCLINED DIRECTION TO A POINT ABOVE THE SAID SURFACE. 